Defense gearing for QB chase

FLOWERY BRANCH - When Carolina's Jake Delhomme starts his fourth career NFL game Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons only hope the fifth-year veteran will continue his penchant for interceptions.

Delhomme (pronounced Duh-lome) improved his career record to 2-1 when the visiting Panthers stunned defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay with a 12-9 overtime victory two weeks ago. Running back Stephen Davis, however, carried the offense that day with 142 yards rushing as the 28-year-old Delhomme failed to direct a touchdown drive and threw two interceptions.

"I missed some throws in there that I wish I would have made," Delhomme told the Charlotte Observer. "But I'm going to keep working on them and trying to get better."

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The Falcons, who shut down Carolina's quarterback tandem of Rodney Peete, Chris Weinke and Randy Fasani in two blowout victories last year, understand Delhomme's tendency to get rattled. He has nine interceptions, six touchdowns and a passer rating of 48.2 in a career that spans only eight games.

Though Atlanta cornerback Ray Buchanan acknowledges the skill of Tampa Bay's defense, he also thinks Delhomme's pitiful performance (9 of 23 passing for 96 yards and a 15.9 rating) carries a deeper meaning.

"We know our guys up front are going to get a strong pass rush like they did against them last year," Buchanan said. "For the guys in the secondary, we just have to be patient and not let anyone get behind us."

Receivers Muhsin Muhammad, Steve Smith and Ricky Proehl each caught a touchdown pass in Carolina's season-opening win over Jacksonville, but the Panthers' passing game has struggled overall. Carolina (2-0), which ranks No. 30 with a 103.5 average, is allowing one sack every 10.2 attempts.

Panthers coach John Fox made Delhomme his No. 1 quarterback when Peete, a 15-year-veteran, struggled against the Jaguars.

"Jake had his ups and downs in his first start, but he came up with some key completions when we needed them," Fox said. "He plays with confidence, and as he gets more experience, I'm sure he will be more comfortable."

When Delhomme signed as a free agent six months ago, he had not started a game since Jan. 2, 2000, when he threw four interceptions and one touchdown in New Orleans' 45-13 loss at Carolina.

The performance ended any realistic hope he had of challenging for the Saints' job.

"New Orleans, I guess, would have been the safe place, the comfort zone, the security blanket," Delhomme told the Observer. "I could stay back. We could really be comfortable. Family's not far away."

He had grown up in Lafayette, La., and signed a scholarship with his hometown university, Southwestern Louisiana. After leading the Ragin' Cajuns to three straight winning seasons from 1994-96, Delhomme accepted a free-agent contract from the Saints.

New Orleans fans hoped Delhomme would become a legend similar to Bobby Hebert, a former Northwestern Louisiana quarterback who played seven years for the Saints and left for Atlanta in 1993 as the club's No. 2 career leading passer behind legendary Archie Manning.

Delhomme never got the chance. He bounced between the practice squad and played two stints in NFL Europe before Kerry Collins, Heath Shuler, Danny Wuerffel, Doug Nussmeier and two Billy Joes -- Tolliver and Hobert -- tried but couldn't hold a job.

By the time Aaron Brooks replaced the injured Jeff Blake and took the starting job for good in 2000, Delhomme was an afterthought. He knew coach Jim Haslett never intended to let him compete with Brooks, so Delhomme left for Carolina and a chance to challenge the 37-year-old Peete.

"He's sound," said Jeff Robinson, the Minnesota Vikings' coordinator of pro personnel. "He's not going to be a world-beater, but he's going to make enough plays when you have to make plays."